Alicia Ankenman

Many people come to therapy feeling anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves, or like they’re “stuck” in patterns they understand but can’t seem to change. You may notice yourself pushing through stress, overthinking, shutting down, avoiding conflict, or feeling out of touch with how you actually feel.

Many of us were never taught how to understand our emotions, regulate anxiety, or listen to what our bodies are trying to communicate. We learn to push through stress, become disconnected from ourselves, or rely on coping patterns that once helped us survive but no longer serve us. While traditional talk therapy focuses on changing thoughts or understanding patterns, somatic therapy includes working with emotions, nervous system responses, and physical sensations in the body. Together, we slow down and begin building a more compassionate and curious relationship with your internal experience rather than fighting against it.

I integrate Somatic Experiencing®, Brainspotting, and Internal Family Systems (IFS)–informed approaches, with attention to how past relationships and nervous system patterns show up in the present. Sessions are paced to help you notice what’s happening internally, build capacity for difficult emotions, and unwind long-held stress and tension.

With over 17 years of clinical experience, I help clients feel more ease, aliveness, and connection to themselves and others—especially those who continue to feel “stuck” even after years of therapy.